Police criticised after Cologne New Year's Eve sex assaults

  • Germany
Protesters, mainly women, gathered in Cologne following a string of sex assaults and robberies during New Year's Eve celebrations. Credit: Reuters

German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere has condemned police in the city of Cologne for their handling of dozens of sex assaults and thefts on New Year's Eve, after only a few people were arrested.

Witnesses and police said that a crowd of around 1,000 men, most of Arab or North African appearance aged from 17 to 35, gathered in the square outside the station letting off fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Mr de Maiziere criticised police for allowing the gangs to return, adding, "and then later these events take place and they wait for complaints. The police shouldn't work like this."

ITV News Europe Editor James Mates reports:

On Tuesday night, around 400 demonstrators held banners demanding action from Chancellor Angela Merkel over the attacks.

More than 100 women reported they had been threatened, robbed or molested in the area by young, mostly drunk, men.

A protester (right) holds sign reading: 'Thanks (Cologne mayor Henriette) Reker!! Poor Cologne' and another (left) calls on Chancellor Merkel to take action. Credit: Reuters

At least one woman in Cologne was reportedly raped and many were groped, including a volunteer policewoman.

The peaceful demonstration started on the square in front of the city's cathedral and culminated with them walking through the main train station, where many say the incidents took place.

Some held banners reading: "Mrs Merkel: Where are you? What are you saying? This worries us!"

Another banner thanked Cologne mayor Henriette Reker after she urged people not to jump to conclusions about the attackers.

The incidents have sparked an intense debate in Germany about refugees and migrants who arrived in the country in record numbers last year.

The attacks are thought to have taken place around the city's main train station. Credit: Reuters

Germany took in just over a million migrants last year, far more than any other European country.

After a crisis meeting, Reker said new steps would be taken to avoid a repeat, including increasing police numbers at big events and installing more security cameras.

She stressed that women must feel safe at traditional carnival celebrations next month when the city closes down for five days of drunken street parades and parties.

Merkel has expressed outrage over the "disgusting attacks".